Sunday, January 5, 2014

Gift of Nature "Amazing Health Benefit of Orange"

Delicious and juicy orange fruit contains an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals for normal growth and development and overall well-being.

Juicy and sweet and renowned for its concentration of vitamin C, oranges make the perfect snack and add a special tang to many recipes; it is no wonder that they are one of the most popular fruits in the world. Oranges are generally available from winter through summer with seasonal variations depending on the variety.

Oranges are round citrus fruits with finely-textured skins that are, of course, orange in color just like their pulpy flesh; the skin can vary in thickness from very thin to very thick. Oranges usually range from approximately two to three inches in diameter.

Health Benefits of Oranges:

1. Helps Prevent CancerOranges are rich in citrus limonoids, proven to help fight a number of varieties of cancer including that of the skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon.

5. Boosts Heart HealthOranges are full of potassium, an electrolyte mineral is responsible for helping the heart function well. When potassium levels get too low, you may develop an abnormal heart rhythm, known as an arrhythmia.

11. Protects SkinOranges are full of beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant protecting the cells from being damage which also protects the skin from free radicals and prevents the signs of aging.

12. Oranges Alkalize the BodyAlthough oranges are acidic before you digest them, they contain many alkaline minerals that help to balance out the body after they are digested. In this respect, they are similar to lemons which are one of the most alkaline foods available.

13. Provides Smart Carbs: Oranges like all fruits have simple sugars in them, but the orange has a glycemic index of 40. Anything under 55 is considered low. This means as long as you don’t eat a lot of oranges at one time, they won’t spike your blood sugar and cause problems with insulin or weight gain.

Interesting Orange Facts:

Oranges are the largest citrus crop in the world.

Brazil produces more oranges than any other country.

Navel Oranges are named after the belly button shape near the bottom!

About 25 billion oranges are grown each year in America.

In the 18th Century British sailors took sauerkraut and citrus fruits on the ships to prevent scurvy.

Florida produces about 70 percent of the total U.S. crop, and 90 percent of its production goes to make juice.

In Queen Victoria’s day, oranges were given as Christmas gifts in England.

Did you know that the color orange came from the orange fruit?

Two most common varieties of oranges are Navel and Valencia oranges.

Orange is the world’s third favorite flavor after chocolate and vanilla.

Citrus fruits, as such, have long been valued for their wholesome nutritious and antioxidant properties. It is scientifically established that citrus fruits, especially oranges, by virtue of their richness in vitamins and minerals, have many proven health benefits. Moreover, it is now beginning to be appreciated that the other biologically active, non-nutrient compounds in the citrus fruits such as phyto-chemical antioxidants, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber helps in cutting risk for cancers, chronic diseases like arthritis, obesity, and coronary heart diseases.